Is the OPAT also required to ship to BCT on top of passing the APFT? Any advice on improving running speed?

Don't focus on super long runs anymore. Those runs throw off your pace, which is a big issue if you're not an experienced runner. Honestly I rarely do a 2 mile run before the PT test. I do a lot of 200m, 800m, or 1 mile repeats. Something like 200m in x amount of time followed by a minute break, then repeat. Or 800m repeats with a 2 minute break in between. Shorter distances mean you'll keep a faster pace. Doing the repeats for extended periods of time will also build some endurance (at least enough for the 2 mile run which is the grand scheme of things doesn't require a ton of endurance). From an injury prevention perspective I've also found that my form is much better on shorter runs which leads to fewer injuries. On long runs my form turns to crap and my legs feel beat the hell up. I'm reaching a point in my life where I don't have much free time and my body takes longer to heal so I need to keep my workouts efficient and injury free.

I would also suggest practicing the turnaround on the shuttle run. Your endurance might be an issue, but if you aren't used to doing a shuttle around your turnaround technique is probably inefficient as well. Watch some YouTube videos on technique. If you get that down I guarantee you will improve your time. Good luck!

If no medical issues, run as if some one abducted your child. You will win

Once fully operational, the OPAT will be a require to ship.
To work on running speed practice short distances running faster. Look up 30/60s or 60/120s from PRT (FM 7-22)

PFC (Join to see) APFT is a local requirement and likley done in your best interest. OPAT is a new mandatory requirement that Im just getting into researching..so my info may not be accurate.

From some of my TRADOC research...
"Once fully approved the OPAT will be required for all new Soldiers joining the Army, and all Soldiers switching MOS from a low physical demand job to a higher physical demand job."

That said.. OPAT is required best I can tell before you can ship to Basic Training it is a gate, no pass no ship.. and from the heart... I think that is right and good. I do not say that to be mean or spiteful...But having had to work with way to many unfit SM over the years that never should have been in the various MOS's they were to begin with and would have been better off had they been told that at the beginning, not as they struggled in the job later, not as they are getting involuntarily separated. While being told NO is hard..getting "fired" later is harder.
Train, get assistance, get a mentor, check your diet, train.... Notice I said train, not work out.. too very differnt things. Training is working out, but working out very often is not training.

My wife lost sixty pounds this year to join the army. She started out doing couchto5k. 30:60's are really good for increasing time. 30 second sprints followed by 60 second walk or light jog. Then after doing that 4-5 times switch. 60 second sprint 30 second walk or jog.

Yes...passing the OPAT prior to IMT/AIT/OSUT is an additional requirement for MOS eligibility.

Nearly 90% of OPAT failures are for the 'shuttles'. If a Recruiter told you that you "didn't have to worry too much about my running abilities", they're wrong and are in need of retraining.

30/60s or 60/120s, or hill repeats. If you have a school track/football field close by definitely do stair repeats. Still work on your longer runs for endurance but incorporate sprints and hill/stairs in at least once a week. Even if you don't have ideal outdoor running conditions a treadmill can get you semi similar results for sprint work, though its less ideal.

I know back in 1999 when I shipped out for basic there was no requirement to ship to BCT. Of course you had to pass the APFT to graduate but nothing stopped you from shipping. If it is, I would say keep doing what you are doing, push yourself to increase your abilities. You will get there!

I've been a runner for nearly 40 years and while increasing one's speed quickly is hard to do, my best advice would be to pursue some track workouts. When I did this seriously while training for a marathon several years ago, it lowered my time by nearly 15 minutes over those 26.2 miles. As they say, of course, "your mileage may vary." I'd recommend a series of 1/4 mile (or 400 meter, depending on the track) repeats, with maybe some 1/2 mile reps thrown in. Allow for an easy jog lap in between the repeats and start with perhaps 6 fast laps overall (or whatever you feel comfortable doing). And don't try to go all out -- just try to do the hard laps at a pace that feels faster than usual. A 13-minute mile is 3:15 per quarter, so try doing quarters around 2:55 to 3:00 minutes to start and see how you feel.

30-60's are a great way to increase your speed and running endurance; That is to say sprint 30 seconds, then jog for 60 seconds. I shaved a minute off my 2 mile time over the course of a month only doing these for running workouts (coupled with 15 min warm up and cool down runs). In regards to the OPAT, the rules and refs are still fairly flexible and being established. They were supposed to take effect two months ago but keep getting pushed back. Depending on your current assigned ship date you may have to pass it, but I can promise if you do about 10 30-60's 3-5 days a week, you should reach your minimum in time (assuming you have 3-4 weeks left to your ship date. Best of luck!